Rai Simons is knocking on the door of Chesterfield’s first-team squad after scoring twice for the reserves at Scunthorpe United on Monday night.

The 19-year-old has scored three goals in two reserve-team games and could be in contention for a place on the substitutes’ bench when Chesterfield play Burton Albion at home on Saturday.

Simons is hoping his scoring exploits have grabbed the attention of Dean Saunders, the Chesterfield manager, with the Bermuda striker desperate for a taste of first-team football.

His first goal against Scunthorpe was a well-placed header at the back post, while his second was a curling effort after cutting in from the left side.

“I’ve scored three in two games and hopefully these performances for the reserves can at least get me on the subs’ bench,” said Simons, who signed a two-year deal with Chesterfield in April.

“[Saunders] hasn’t said anything to me directly and I’ll just keep using these reserve games to try and make an impact.

“There’s no better feeling in the world for a striker than scoring regularly and hopefully I can build on this momentum. My confidence is really good at the moment.”

The former Ilkeston player said he felt quicker, sharper and stronger than ever and believed he had made a seamless transition to the professional ranks.

“I didn’t expect to have done this well so quickly,” said Simons, who also scored against Doncaster Rovers reserves this season.

“I’m really enjoying things right now and hopefully I get a bit of luck and go from there.

“I’ve seen the differences in my performances [since joining Chesterfield]; I feel a lot fitter and sharper on the ball.

“I’m loving training every day and we have a really good group of players. I couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Chesterfield, who lost in last season’s play-off semi-finals against Preston North End, are ninth in the Sky Bet League One table after eight games.

Saunders, the former Liverpool and Aston Villa striker, said he will be looking for a positive response from his players after they lost 1-0 at Coventry City last weekend.

“We’ll come in to training, watch the DVD, work on what went wrong, put a few things out and get ready for Burton,” Saunders said.

“We’re a good team and we’ve played a good team, we take it on the chin, and get up off the floor.

“We’ll come and lift the players and get focused on Burton.”

n Nahki Wells could find himself on the bench again tomorrow night when Huddersfield Town take on Nottingham Forest at home.

The Bermuda striker played less than 10 minutes against Bolton Wanderers, coming on as a late replacement for Ishmael Miller in the 4-1 win.

While James Vaughan is still out injured, Miller has started every game so far this season, and it seems likely that Chris Powell, the Huddersfield manager, will stick with his winning formula.

Wells had a chance to score against Bolton deep into injury time, but struck his shot straight at Ben Amos, the Bolton goalkeeper.